Constitution

The Constitution of the Princeton
University Band

Article 0: The Purpose of the Band

The Princeton University Band exists primarily for the enjoyment of its members and for the entertainment of the University community.

Article I: Band Members

Section 1

(a) ​ The Princeton University Band (PUB) consists of voting members and participating
members.

(b) ​ Participating membership in the PUB:

(i) ​ shall be automatically granted to any currently enrolled Princeton University students (graduate or undergraduate) who requests it from an officer of the PUB.
(ii) ​ shall not be restricted on the basis of musical ability. There​ shall be no
auditions or other tests of ability for membership.
(iii) ​ is retained by alumni of the PUB upon their graduation from the University.
(iv) ​ shall continue indefinitely and cannot be revoked or annulled except as described in Article III of this constitution.
(v) ​ may be conferred upon any individual at the discretion of the President.

(c) ​ Voting membership in the PUB:

(i) ​ shall be granted to currently-enrolled Princeton University students (graduate or undergraduate) who have attended at least one-half of all Band functions in the last two months in which the University was in session.
(ii)​ may be granted, at the discretion of the President, to any participating
member who is an undergraduate or graduate student. This must be announced to the voting members immediately prior to the election they are participating in. Any voting member may object to the president’s conferral of voting membership upon a participating member. Following this objection, a two-thirds majority of
voting members present may veto the president’s conferral.
(iii) ​ shall continue as long as the member meets the attendance requirements and cannot be otherwise revoked or annulled except as described in Article I, Section 1(d) or Article III of this constitution

(d) ​ All voting and participating members are welcome at any Band event, but the officers may utilize publicized criteria for allocating limited spots at events when resources or externally imposed constraints necessitate doing so. No enrolled student
shall be turned away from such an event in favor of a non-student member.

(e) ​ Any student ​ who is expelled, suspended, or withdraws from ​ the University automatically forfeits their voting or participating membership in the PUB. If such a person is an Officer of the PUB, they shall automatically forfeit their office as well. Students who voluntarily take time off from Princeton may retain participating membership.

Article II: Band Officers

Section 1

(a) ​ The officers of the PUB shall be: one President, one Drum Major, one Head
Manager, one Student Conductor, one Treasurer, four Drillmasters, two Librarians, and one Alumni Coordinator.

(b) ​ Only Princeton University undergraduate voting members may serve as officers of the PUB.

(c) ​ No person may hold any office for more than one term. Any person who has held an office for fewer than twelve weeks while school is in session ​ is eligible​ to hold that office again.

(d) ​ No person may hold more than one office at the same time.

(e) ​ To declare candidacy for the Presidency, a voting member must be nominated as described in Section 2(b). To declare candidacy for any other office, an interested member must declare their candidacy to the sitting President.

(f) ​ Officers shall be elected at a presidential election (as described in Article II, Section 2 (c)) and at Band Council (as described in Article II, Section 3) each November.

(g) ​ Any Princeton University undergraduate Voting Member who wishes to be a candidate for multiple officer positions in the PUB must submit a ranking of the officer positions for which they are a candidate to the sitting President no later than the deadline set and announced by the sitting President at least one week in advance. A ranking of “1” will denote the officer position that is the candidate’s first choice. A ranking of “2” will denote the officer position that is the candidate’s second choice, and so on and so forth. ​ In the event that the candidate is elected to multiple offices, they shall assume the office they have ranked highest, and other offices shall be filled by their respective runners-up.

(h) ​ Officers shall take office after the end of the football season at the annual banquet following their election. They shall serve until the installation of new officers at the end of the following football season.

Section 2 (The President)

(a) ​ The President must have served as a voting member for at least one fall and at least one spring semester.

(b) ​ Nominations for President shall be made at least one week in advance of the election, by means of a nomination and a second by voting members of the Band. ​ The current President shall publicize these nominations at least one week in advance of the election.

(c) ​ The President shall be elected at a meeting which shall take place annually ​ in November​ by a majority vote of those Voting Members of the PUB present at the meeting. ​ The current President shall announce the time and place of this meeting to the membership of the band at least two weeks in advance of the election.

(d) ​ If the President intends to resign, he or she shall tender a resignation in writing to the Drum Major. This resignation shall become effective immediately when received by the Drum Major.

(e) ​ In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, a new President shall be elected within two weeks by ​ seconded​ nominations from and majority vote of those current Voting Members of the PUB present at a publicly-announced open meeting. The meeting shall be announced at least one week in advance.

(f) ​ In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Drum Major shall serve as President until the election of a new President as directed in Article II, Section 2 (e) of this Constitution.

(g) ​ The President shall be the sole executive officer of the PUB.

(i) ​ The President shall have the power to direct and coordinate the activities of the other officers of the PUB.
(ii) ​ The President shall have the power to represent the PUB to outside
organizations and to the University administration in all matters pertaining to
Band functions.
(iii) ​ The President shall have the power to call all meetings of the Band and to
appoint any necessary committees
(iv) ​ The President shall have the power ​ to veto ​ expenditures of PUB funds and, in case of emergency ​ or when the treasurer is unavailable​ , to approve expenditures.
(v) ​ Any Presidential executive decision shall be reviewed by the voting membership if so requested by at least three voting members. A decision of the President may be overruled by a two-thirds vote of voting members ​ who are present at a vote that has been publicly announced at least one week in advance or by a two-thirds vote of the other officers at any time.
(vi)​ Neither the president nor any other officer may publish official communications that contain policy positions or express official viewpoints without first submitting the exact text of the communication to the PUB. At the request of three voting members, the communication shall be discussed at a duly publicized open meeting and may be published with the consent of one-half of voting members present at the meeting. If no meeting is requested within twenty-four hours after the communication has been submitted to the PUB, the communication may be published but only with the explicit written approval of one-half of the officer corps.

Section 3 (Band Council)

(a) ​ The Band Council shall be held in November for the purpose of electing
non-Presidential officers as described in Article II, Section 1 (f), conferring awards, and conducting other business as necessary.

(b) ​ Any voting member is eligible to attend Band Council.

(c)​ Councilors must stay for the ​ duration of officer elections.​ In the event of an early exit deemed inappropriate by the rest of the council, the councilor’s votes will be discarded.

(d) ​ The Band Council shall have the authority to settle any questions of interpretation with respect to this Constitution.

Section 4 (The Drum Major)

(a) ​ The Drum Major shall be elected from those who have served as a voting member for at least one fall and at least one spring semester.

(b) ​ The Drum Major shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ The Drum Major shall be responsible for the planning, coordinating, and executing of all band performances.

(d) ​ The Drum Major shall have control of the Band as a marching unit and shall be responsible for the writing and execution of all half-time shows.

(e) ​ The Drum Major shall be responsible for the selection of the half-time announcer from the membership of the PUB.

(f) ​ In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Drum Major shall serve as interim President as directed in Article II, Section 2 (f) of this Constitution.

Section 5 (The Head Manager)

(a) ​ The Head Manager shall be elected from those who have served as a voting member for at least one fall and at least one spring semester.

(b) ​ The Head Manager shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ The Head Manager shall be responsible for planning and coordinating PUB trips, including making arrangements for travel, meals, and lodging. The Head Manager shall also make arrangements for hosting members of visiting bands.

(d) ​ The Head Manager shall have the responsibility for the care and distribution of all uniforms.

Section 6 (The Treasurer)

(a) ​ The Treasurer shall be elected from the Voting Members of the PUB.

(b) ​ The Treasurer shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all financial matters involving the PUB. This record shall be open to inspection by any member of the PUB or ​ officer of the Friends of Tiger Band (FOTB)​ upon request.

(d) ​ All expenditures of PUB funds ​ must be approved by the Treasurer. The treasurer shall make every effort to notify the President of such approval so that the President may veto the expenditure.

Section 7 (The Student Conductor)

(a) ​ The Student Conductor shall be elected from those who have served as a voting member for at least one fall and at least one spring semester.

(b) ​ The Student Conductor shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ To be eligible to be elected Student Conductor, candidates must audition at an open rehearsal of the PUB.

(d) ​ The Student Conductor shall be responsible for the musical performance of the Band.

(e) ​ In the case of absence of the Student Conductor from a Band function, a substitute conductor shall be named by the Student Conductor and President ahead of time. If the Student Conductor becomes unavailable without warning and cannot contribute to the selection of a substitute conductor, the substitute conductor shall be named by the Drum Major and President.

Section 8 (The Drillmasters)

(a) ​ The Drillmasters shall be elected from the voting members of the PUB

(b) ​ The Drillmasters shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ Drillmasters shall act in the general capacity of assistants to the other officers.

(d) ​ Drillmasters shall supervise attendance at marching and music rehearsals, shall be responsible for granting excuses for absence from rehearsals or performances, and shall supervise formations of the Marching Band in cooperation with the Drum Major.

(e) ​ Drillmasters shall have the responsibility for the care and transportation of all instruments and equipment owned by the PUB.

Section 9 (The Librarians)

(a) ​ The Librarians shall be elected from the Voting Members of the PUB.

(b) ​ The Librarians shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ The Librarians shall be responsible for the storage, collection, distribution, and maintenance of all music owned by the PUB.

(d) ​ The Librarians shall be responsible for procuring music as the Student Conductor or Drum Major shall direct.

Section 10 (The Alumni Coordinator)

(a) ​ The Alumni Coordinator shall be elected from the Voting Members of the PUB.

(b) ​ The Alumni Coordinator shall be elected ​ by an instant runoff vote​ of the Band Council at a meeting within two weeks of the end of the football season.

(c) ​ The Alumni Coordinator shall be responsible for organizing the Band reunion.

(d) ​ The Alumni Coordinator shall make arrangements for visiting Band alumni at Band events.

(e) ​ The Alumni Coordinator shall serve as a general assistant and adviser to the other officers at their request.

(f) ​ The Penn Band.

Section 11 (Impeachment)

(a) ​ An officer shall be subject to impeachment for negligence, misconduct, or
incompetence at any time by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership of the PUB.

(b) ​ A motion and a second from any two voting members are sufficient to bring about such a vote.

(c) ​ The time and location of the vote shall be publicized at least two weeks in advance by the President, or the Drum Major in the event the President is being impeached.

(d)​ The sitting President, or the Drum Major in the event the President is being
impeached, shall preside over impeachment proceedings.

(e)​ Any officer subject to impeachment proceedings has the right to present a defense, confront opposing witnesses, examine all evidence, and call for members to speak on
their behalf.

Section 12 (Resignation and vacancies)

(a)​ Any officer except the President who intends to resign shall tender their resignation in writing to the President. Resignations shall become effective immediately when received by the President.

(b) ​ Following the resignation or impeachment of an officer who is not the President, the President may appoint an interim officer who will serve until such a time that an election may be scheduled to fill the vacancy.

(c) ​ The election shall occur between one and four weeks after the vacancy arises, not including weeks during which Princeton is not in session.

Article III: Expulsion of Members

Section 1

(a) ​ A member who is expelled from the PUB loses all the rights and privileges of membership and may not attend future events.

(b) ​ A member can only be expelled for extreme cases of negligence or misconduct.

Section 2

(a) ​ At the request of half the officer corps or ten voting members, the President shall schedule an expulsion hearing and an expulsion vote.

(b) ​ The time and place of the expulsion hearing and expulsion vote shall be publicized at least one week in advance. The expulsion vote shall occur between one and two weeks after the hearing, not counting weeks during which Princeton is not in session.

(c) ​ The expulsion hearing is held for the gathering and presenting of evidence and the ascertaining of all relevant facts. Any participating, voter, or alumni member may attend the hearing and speak for or against expulsion.

(d) ​ An officer shall take notes on the hearing and distribute the notes to the entire membership of the PUB.

(e) ​ At any point during the expulsion hearing, a majority of voting members present can decide to cancel the expulsion vote, thereby immediately terminating expulsion proceedings.

(f) ​ The expulsion vote is held for the purposes of determining whether, given the evidence presented at the expulsion hearing, a member should be expelled from the PUB. New evidence can be introduced, and the member facing expulsion may summarize the case in their defense.

Section 3

(a) ​ Any member, including the member facing expulsion, has the right to speak, present and examine evidence, and question opposing witnesses.

(b) ​ At the request of the President or member facing expulsion, a non-member may speak, present evidence, and question opposing witnesses.

(c) ​ If the member facing expulsion is not expelled, he or she retains all previously held rights, offices, and membership statuses.

(d) ​ No member shall twice face expulsion proceedings for the same alleged offence.

(e) ​ The President may decide whether the member facing expulsion is permitted to attend events in the timeframe between the scheduling of the expulsion hearing and the termination of proceedings. This decision may be overruled by three-fourths of the officer corps.

(f) ​ A member can only be expelled by a three-quarters vote of voting members present at the expulsion vote. Participating members may not participate in an expulsion vote unless they were granted voting membership at least two weeks prior to the announcement of the expulsion hearing. One-half of all voting members is required for a quorum.

Section 4

At any time, two-thirds of voting members or a unanimous officer corps may reinstate an expelled member.

Article IV: Ivy Bands

Section 1

The President, Drum Major, and Head Manager shall represent the PUB at Ivy Bands.

Section 2

The President, Drum Major, and Head Manager may sign inter-band agreements only in order to provide for improved interactions between the PUB and other Ivy League bands or administrations. Inter-band agreements may not require the PUB to change its internal practices or violate any provision of this constitution. The officers may not sign any public statement at Ivy Bands without the approval of two-thirds of the officer corps or one-half of the voting members present at a meeting scheduled with one week’s advance notice.

Section 3

Any agreement signed by the officers at Ivy Bands can be nullified by two-thirds of the officers not present at Ivy Bands or by a majority of voting members present at a meeting publicly announced at least one week in advance. The President shall schedule the meeting at the request of three voting members.

Article V: Amendments

Section 1

Amendments to the Band Constitution may be proposed by a petition presented by any member of the PUB.

Section 2

(a) ​ Once duly proposed, amendments to the Band Constitution shall be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the voting members of the PUB present at a publicly-announced open meeting. The meeting shall be announced at least one week in advance.

(b) ​ If the amendment has been duly proposed and announced a week in advance, amendments may be ratified at Band Council.

(c) ​ The proposed amendment shall be read at least twice during such a meeting.

(d) ​ The amendment may be modified at the meeting so long as the modifications remain on-topic in the judgment of the president.

Section 3

Amendments to the Band Constitution shall take effect immediately upon ratification.

Article VI: Ratification

Section 1

The Ratification of this Constitution shall require a two-thirds vote of the voting members of the PUB. The ratification vote shall take place at an open meeting publicly announced at least one week in advance.

Section 2

A copy of this Constitution shall be available for inspection upon request, at least one week before the ratification vote.

Section 3

The ratification of this Constitution will void any previously existing Constitutions.